Knowledge Base

How to Launch and Edit Settings in System Setup(BIOS) ?

This document has instructions to launch and edit settings in System Setup(BIOS).

Launch System Setup(BIOS)

1. Turn on (or restart) your computer..

2. At the DELL logo with the prompt of F2, press F2 key .

The F2 prompt indicates that the keyboard has initialized. This prompt can appear very quickly. If you press F2 before the prompt this keystroke is lost. If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows Desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again

Various Methods to Reset System Setup(BIOS) Settings

• Reset the BIOS to Default Settings

• Boot from Windows Media

• Create RAID Volumes

• Enable ISRT

• Set UEFI Configuration

Reset the BIOS to Default Settings

If your computer is set to boot from a media or USB key, it may not successfully boot to Windows. Resetting the BIOS to factory defaults may resolve this issue:

1.Enter system setup.

2.Using the arrow keys, navigate to the Exit tab.

3.Select the option to load default settings and press Enter.

4.Press Y to confirm.

5.Select the option to save the changes and exit.

6.Press Y to confirm.

Boot from Windows Media

When repairing or reinstalling the operating system, you may need to boot from the Windows installation media.Your computer may or may not have an optical drive. Use an external optical drive for the procedures that involve media.

Insert the Windows installation media in the optical drive.

Enter system setup.

Using the arrow keys, navigate to the Boot menu option and press Enter.

Use the arrow keys to highlight 1st Boot and press Enter.

Use the + or - keys to change the value of the 1st Boot device to CD/DVD.The process of changing the boot sequence in BIOS depends on the type of system board and BIOS version installed on your computer.

Press Esc to exit the BIOSThis is the display language of the Dell Direct USB Key process, and may be the same for the operating system, select accordingly.

Select the option to save the changes and exit.

If the options in steps 4 and 5 above are not available, boot from media by using one of the options below:

1. Highlight 1st Boot and press Enter. Select CD/DVD and press Enter.

2. Refer to the Help screen on the BIOS for the key function to be used for changing the boot sequence.

Create RAID Volumes

If your computer uses Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID), make sure to create a RAID volume after you reinstall the operating system. If SATA mode is configured to AHCI, IRRT, RAID On, or RAID mode, the IMSM/IRST driver must be installed after reinstalling the operating system.

Enter system setup.

Using the arrow keys, navigate to the Advanced menu option and press Enter.

Use the arrow keys to highlight SATA Operation and press Enter.

Select RAID and press Enter.The process of enabling RAID in BIOS depends on the type of system board and BIOS version installed on your computer.

Select the option to save the changes and exit. The computer restarts and the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) screen appears.The IRST is a code module built into the system BIOS that provides boot support for RAID volumes.

Press Crtl and I to enter the Configuration Utility.

Use the arrow keys to highlight Create RAID Volume.

You can use the default setting for the RAID volume or you can modify the Name, RAID Level, Disks, Strip Size, and Capacity based on your preference.You can set the RAID Level to RAID0 (Stripe) or RAID1 (Mirror). If you have two hard drives and one mSATA, you can set RAID 0 on one of these devices.

Use the arrow keys to highlight Create Volume.

When prompted to create the new volume, press y to continue.

Select Exit and press Enter.

Press Y to exit and computer will restart.

Make sure the IRST is installed.

Enable ISRT

The Intel Smart Response Technology (ISRT) user interface is accessible in Windows and is used for configuring and managing cache volumes.

1. Sign-in to Windows.

2. On the system tray, double-click the ISRT icon to launch the application.

3. Click Accelerate

4. Click Enable Acceleration. The Enable Acceleration screen appears.

5. Under Select the size allocation for the cache memory, click the specific memory size indicated. For example, 18.6 GB and so on.

6. Under the Select the disk or volume to accelerate section, select Disk on port 0.